There are numerous effective products available for purchase that can enhance your complexion, but did you know that certain foods can also contribute to achieving your goal of having beautiful skin? Yes! Certain foods can help boost and brighten your complexion.
Here are the top 5 foods to add to your shopping list next time you’re at the grocery store to keep your skin glowing and radiant!
- Avocados – Avocados are rich in vitamin C and E, with a fair dose of healthy fats, which work together to improve skin elasticity and firmness. Those who consume a healthy amount of avocados may also notice that their skin is less dry, as the nutrients in avocados help to prevent water loss in the skin. Consider adding avocados to your diet by incorporating them into a smoothie, enjoying them on the side with your morning scrambled eggs, or in your favorite sushi.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes offer two nutrients ideal for a glowing complexion: antioxidants and collagen. Vitamins C, E, and lycopene are known to protect the skin from free radicals, which can cause wrinkles, dark spots, and fine lines. The collagen in tomatoes can help strengthen your skin, which in turn can help prevent wrinkles. To experience the benefits of tomatoes, be sure to add them to your next Greek salad or Caprese salad – yum!
- Walnuts – Much like fish, walnuts contain Omega-3 fatty acids that can make your skin smoother. This is a great way for vegetarians to get plenty of these “good fats” into their diet. Quality Omega-3s may also help prevent cardiovascular disease, reduce inflammation, and have other positive effects on your overall health. You can add walnuts to a salad, whether it’s a garden salad or a chicken salad.
- Berries – Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries, can help tone the skin by offering antioxidants. Vitamin C is found in berries that can protect the skin from UV radiation and free radicals. Berries are versatile in the way they can be incorporated into your diet through smoothies or salads.
- Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are known for their high content of vitamin A, C, and collagen. These nutrients can help improve the appearance of dark spots on the face and enhance the skin’s elasticity, keeping it looking fresh and bright. Sweet potatoes can be incorporated into your diet as a side dish for meals, in breakfast dishes, and salads.
Food to Limit
Similarly, some foods can enhance your complexion; however, some foods can cause issues with the health and appearance of your skin. Some foods to limit to prevent include:
- Processed Sugars – Consuming processed sugars can cause the skin’s collagen to stiffen and damage over time. Inflammation is also triggered in the body by processed sugars, which can worsen pre-existing skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Processed sugar is found in sodas, sweets, candies, and desserts, even salad dressings.
- Fried Food – Fried food is often high in trans fat and fatty acids that can trigger an inflammatory response in the body. Inflammation of this nature can lead to puffiness in the face and exacerbate existing acne. With this in mind, opt for grilled chicken over fried chicken, or a fruit salad or French fries.
Ideally, you should aim for a diet that is primarily composed of high-quality, whole foods. But, you don’t always want to deprive yourself of these sweet treats either! Try to keep everything in moderation. If you know that a majority of the food you’re consuming is good for your skin, then having a slice of cake or fries every once in a while won’t significantly impact your skin.
Other Ways to Improve Your Skin Complexion
Beyond a healthy diet and lifestyle, there are additional ways to improve your skin’s complexion. Some of these options are available in your dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office, but others can be implemented in the comfort of your own home. Here are some other ways to improve your skin complexion:
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are performed in-office and work to exfoliate the skin using chemical acids. Chemical peels can bring about a glowing complexion within a week by literally causing the skin to shed, revealing reduced hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and an improvement in fine lines. For best results, it is recommended that patients undergo 2-3 sessions of chemical peels for optimal improvement of their skin complexion.
Lasers
Laser treatments can help take your skin complexion to the next level. Laser treatments, such as V-Beam, Calmity 2, and broadband light lasers, can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure or acne, and can even treat small facial veins. Laser treatments typically require a few sessions, with minimal downtime.
Skin Routine
Something to incorporate into your daily routine is a consistent skincare routine! Now, it does not need to be anything crazy, but can simply be a quality cleanser, moisturizer, retinoids, and SPF. Over time, your skin will thank you if you are consistent in using these products to help protect it from sun exposure, cleanse it daily from dirt and excess oil, and encourage daily skin cell turnover with the help of retinoids.
Skin Treatments with The Lett Center in Nashville, Tennessee
Diet is one of the easiest ways to support the look and feel of your skin. By opting for quality whole foods, you may start to see a glowy complexion sooner than you think! However, if you want to enhance your complexion in addition to a quality diet, consider in-office treatments such as chemical peels or lasers.
At The Lett Center, we offer chemical peels, laser treatments, and medical-grade skincare. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover which skin treatments are right for you. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your journey to a healthy, glowing complexion.